Flower-like W/WO3 as a novel cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with exceptional safety and cost-effective features have captured researchers’ attention, but the cathode materials available still need to be further explored. Herein, a flower-like W/WO₃ hybrid is developed as a cathode of ZIBs. Impressively, the W/WO₃-ZIBs exhibit extraordinary rate performance (158 mA h g⁻¹ under 0.1 A g⁻¹) and remarkable cycling performance (96% over 1000 cycles). Additionally, an electrochemical mechanism based on reversible Zn²⁺ insertion/extraction in W/WO₃ is firstly demonstrated, and the impressive flexibility and excellent capabilities of the soft-packaged batteries are also realized. Therefore, this research will pave a novel consideration of metal/metal oxide hybrids in designing cathodes of ZIBs with high electrochemical performance.